Five individuals have been remanded by the Ba Magistrates Court following charges related to a conspiracy to import illicit drugs. The accused, Jonathan Hill, Ponipate Mateyawa, John Taotala, Iliesa Cokanasiga, and Merewalesi Qolimaiwaqa, appeared in court today.
According to police allegations, the group conspired from November 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026, to unlawfully import, transport, transfer, and store a staggering 2,644 kilograms of illicit drugs in and around Fiji. In addition to the conspiracy charge, New Zealand national John Taotala faces two additional counts for possession of items believed to be proceeds of crime. Meanwhile, both Hill and Qolimaiwaqa are also charged with possession related to proceeds of crime.
As the proceedings unfolded, Hill was seen entering the courtroom with a message expressing his apologies to his family. Notably, he is the son-in-law of Assistant Minister and Deputy Speaker Lenora Qereqeretabua.
The Fiji Police Force has stated that investigations are ongoing, with officers actively pursuing additional leads associated with the case. This development underscores the authorities’ commitment to tackling drug-related offenses and their impact on communities in Fiji.
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